Heart Healthy Lasagna

By special request from Marian  (  :   here is another lasagna recipe.  I use soy cheese with this, but rice or almond cheese works too.

Ingredients:
1 pkg whole wheat or gluten-free lasagna pasta (I LOVE "no boil" lasagna- it works really well)
25 oz. jar pasta sauce
4 oz. tomato paste
1 1/2 cup water
12 or 13 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 large onion, diced
4-5 cloves chopped garlic
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 cup basil leaves
1/2 bunch fresh spinach, rinsed, chopped into strips and stems removed
1 zucchini squash, finely chopped (optional)
12 oz. shredded cheese alternative, e.g. soy, almond, or rice
2 tbsp. oil
1/2 lb. 99% fat-free turkey breast

Directions:
Boil pasta until done.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Saute' onion, garlic, and turkey in 2 tbsp. oil.  When meat is cooked, add pasta sauce and chopped spinach.  Stir in tomato paste, water, oregano, and tomatoes until mixed.  Remove from heat.  Grate cheese alternative.  In 9 by 13 casserole dish, layer 3 stacks of pasta noodles, pasta sauce, basil leaves, and cheese.  On the last layer, make sure the pasta sauce covers the cheese alternative. Cover with foil and bake for approx. 90 minutes. 

Spicy Quinoa with Pineapple and Peppers

Quinoa is native to the Andes Mountains and was a food staple for the Ancient Incas.  This gluten-free whole grain has been gaining in popularity not only because it is gluten-free but because it is also packed with protein and many other vital nutrients. Quinoa is actually a seed!

Quinoa is high in magnesium; a mineral that promotes heart health.  Magnesium can help reduce relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and may increase heart efficiency.

Ingredients:
1 cup red or white quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cup fresh chopped pineapple
2 jalapeno peppers or 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped (If you want a little less heat, use a bell pepper instead)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp. oil
2 tsp. honey
1-2 tsp. red pepper sauce (optional)
Salt to taste

Directions:
Rinse quinoa thoroughly and drain.  Add water and quinoa to saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover with lid, and simmer until water evaporates.  Saute' onions and peppers in oil until softened.  Turn off heat and stir in pineapples.  When quinoa is cooked, stir in pepper mix.  Then add honey, salt, and pepper sauce.  Serves 4.